Introduction

Pre-stretch film, also known as prestretched film or extended core film, has become an increasingly popular packaging material for companies looking to secure their pallet loads. But is pre-stretch film right for your business? This article will examine the benefits and drawbacks of pre-stretch film to help you determine if it’s the best pallet wrap option for your packaging operations.

What is Pre-Stretch Film?

Pre-stretch film, as the name implies, is stretch film that has already been mechanically stretched during the manufacturing process. This pre-stretching elongates the polymer chains in the film, creating a thinner yet stronger material.

When wrapping a pallet load, this pre-stretched film requires less force to stretch around corners and loads. This makes it easier for operators to achieve a consistent, tight wrap. The prestretch also enables the film to snap back and maintain tension after wrapping to better secure the load.

Key Benefits of Pre-Stretch Film

• Increased strength & puncture resistance – The pre-stretching process makes the film thinner but imparts greater tensile strength and puncture resistance. This leads to better load containment and less damaged goods.
• Uses less material – By starting stretched, pre-stretch film requires fewer revolutions or wrappings to cover the load. This saves on material costs.
• Faster wrapping times – The easy stretch of the film can reduce wrap times by 30% or more. Workers don’t have to pull as hard to get the desired wrap force and tension.
• Improved load stability – Loads wrapped with pre-stretch film are more securely contained to the pallet. The high cling and tension wrap minimizes in-transit shifting and damage.
• Better visibility – Pre-stretch films are ultra-thin, sometimes less than 8 microns. This leads to less obstruction of package labels and contents.

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

• Higher upfront cost – Pre-stretch film costs more per pound than conventional stretch wrap. The price difference may be 15-30% more.
• Special equipment required – To achieve the proper pre-stretch, you need a pre-stretch wrap machine. Hand wrapping pre-stretch film defeats the purpose.
• More technical maintenance – There are more moving parts on a pre-stretch machine that require regular service and maintenance. This adds operational costs.
• Limited stretchability – Because it starts partially stretched, pre-stretch film has a lower maximum stretch ratio than conventional pallet wrap. The stretch capacity is about 200-250% compared to 300% or higher.

Is Pre-Stretch Film Right for Your Business?

Deciding between pre-stretch and conventional stretch film primarily comes down to a cost-benefit analysis based on your unique pallet usage and operations:

• High volume operations – For companies wrapping 100+ pallets per day, the material savings, faster throughput, and load stability of pre-stretch film usuallyoffsets the higher equipment and film costs.
• High value or fragile loads – For products that are expensive, fragile, or require maximum stability, pre-stretch is ideal for minimizing damages and claims.
• Businesses with wrapping issues – If your current wrapping process is inefficient or produces unstable loads, pre-stretch can significantly improve your results.

However, the higher costs may not justify the benefits for companies with:

• Low pallet volumes – Under 25-50 pallets per day makes the savings negligible. Conventional pallet wrap may be more economical.
• Heavy, dense products – With non-fragile bricks, metals, etc., pre-stretch advantages are less noticeable.
• Budget constraints – The larger capital investment and operating costs may not work within limited budgets.

Key Considerations When Switching to Pre-Stretch

If pre-stretch film seems suitable for your operations, keep these recommendations in mind:

• Get supplier guidance on film selection – There are different grades and thicknesses of pre-stretch film. Make sure you get the one optimized for your unique application.
• Evaluate your equipment options – There are turntable, rotary arm, and orbital wrap machines that accommodate pre-stretch. Compare capabilities and costs.
• Account for training and trialing – Operators will need guidance on properly wrapping with prestretched film to avoid application issues.
• Analyze before and after data – Monitor key metrics like film usage, wrap times, accidents, load containment, and costs to confirm the benefits.

Pre-Stretch vs. Standard Stretch Wrap: A Summary Comparison

Metric	Pre-Stretch Film	Standard Stretch Film
Cost per lb	Higher	Lower
Film Thickness	Thinner	Thicker
Tensile Strength	Higher	Lower
Stretch Ratio	200-250%	300%+
Wraps Required	Fewer	More
Wrap Time	Faster	Slower
Load Containment	Superior	Variable
Visibility	Better	Fair
Equipment Costs	Higher	Lower
Technical Maintenance	More	Less

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal pre-stretch percentage?

The optimal pre-stretch percentage is around 200%, but it can vary between 150-250% based on your load characteristics and wrap pattern. Your film supplier can recommend the right level. Too much pre-stretch reduces film strength.

How much thinner is pre-stretch film?

Pre-stretch film is typically 25-35% thinner than a comparable conventional stretch film. A conventional 80 gauge film would be reduced to around 50-60 gauge as a pre-stretch film.

Does pre-stretch film cost more to store?

Pre-stretch film does require some special storage considerations. Keeping it indoors and away from direct sunlight is recommended to prevent loss of prestretch properties from heat exposure.

Is pre-stretch film harder to use for hand wrapping?

Yes, pre-stretch film needs to be dispensed from a film carriage and pre-stretch device to utilize its benefits. Manually using pre-stretch defeats the purpose.

How do I know if my stretch wrapper can use pre-stretch film?

Consult your equipment provider. In general, powered turntable, rotary arm, and orbital stretch wrappers can be fitted with pre-stretch attachments to convert to pre-stretch capability.

Conclusion

Pre-stretch film delivers tangible benefits for many high volume shipping operations, but it also involves additional costs and considerations. Weigh the pros and cons carefully for your specific environment. Supplier collaboration and trials are recommended to determine if upgrading to pre-stretch is the right call for optimizing your load containment, throughput, and bottom line.